The prospect of Barcelona’s double World Player of the Year making a sensatonal switch to the Etihad has been a dream for the Blues faithful.

But the prospect of City – who face Barca in the Champions League – shelling out what would be a world record £100m-plus for the Argentinian superstar has moved closer with Yaya and Aguero going public.

“If it’s to come to City, I hope Messi can leave Barca,” said Yaya, who played alongside Messi at the Nou Camp.

While striker Aguero, who is a team-mate of Messi with Argentina, said: “Yes, he should come to City. Then we’ll definitely play together! City should buy him!”

It comes after Blues defender Pablo Zabaleta – another international team-mate of Messi – revealed the 26-year-old asks about City. “He asked me a lot about City,” said Zabaleta. “It’s something we often talk about.”

Messi is reportedly unhappy at the Spanish giants and is said to have fallen out with club vice-president Javier Faus.

City, funded by Abu Dhabi’s oil wealth, are one of the few clubs in the world who could not only afford his transfer fee but his wage demands which would easily surpass £200,000-a-week. City have Barcelona connections with Ferran Soriano Txiki Begiristain both former key figures at the Catalan club before taking up roles at the Blues.